Great train watching hotels

[Anonymous]

Just got back from a business meeting in Dallas at the Hyatt in Reunion Plaza. WOW! Ask for a room with a north view and you will be treated to UP's double track mainline, Trinity Railway Express (the DFW commuter system) and the Dallas light rail, all running parallel tracks outside the Dallas Union Station. Biggest treat: A 3-unit lash-up of RDC's Trinity runs at peak periods.

Even if you don't stay at the Hyatt, the observation deck in the Reunion Tower next door provides great views of the railway system.

What other hotels/vantage points around North America provide high levels of train watching??

[RudyRockvilleMD]

The Hampton Inn in Dearborn, MI backs up to the ex New York Central, ex Conrail, Norfolk Southern Detroit - Chicago line; ask for a room in the rear which also overlooks Greenfield Village.

The Holiday Inn in Flagstaff, AZ overlooks the BNSF's main; also ask for a room in the rear on the 5th floor, however, you might not get very much sleep because that line is busy.

The Antlers Doubletree Hotel in Colorado Springs is next to the UP (ex D&RGW) "joint line." Again ask for a room in the rear.It won't be cheap because you get a view of Pike's Peak.

[mccauley]

There's a bed and breakfast near Galesburg, IL, located adjacent to a busy BNSF line. Much of their marketing is targeted to railfans.

See http://www.rrhistorical.com/knox/

[Anonymous]

Check this site
http://www.goeaston.net/~cahash/

[Anonymous]

I stayed at a Best Western in Flagstaff (the Pony Soldier) on Old Route 66. It has a prime view of the BNSF double-track main. Saw tons of action there. Haven't stayed at the Knox Staition Bed & Breakfast in Knox, Illinois, but I've heard it's great and it's definitely geared to railfans. There is a new Sheraton in St. Louis on 14th street overlooking the Mill Creek Valley area in downtown St. Louis. With a southern view, you'll see probably 70+ movements a day from UP, BNSF, Amtrak, and the Terminal RR of St. Louis.

[Anonymous]

The Holiday Inn at Quaker Square in Akron overlooks the CSX main. There is also traffic by the Akron Barberton Belt railroad (or whatever they are calling themselves now) on these tracks. The hotel itself is interesting as the rooms are in the silos of the old Quaker Oats factory.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Great reference site.

[Anonymous]

Check out the Kingsley Inn in Ft. Madison, Iowa. Old world charm and modern ammenities facing the BNSF "transcom" double-track mainline and single-track "Hannible sub-division". Walk over to RR museum and art center, cross over tracks on pedestrian bridge, visit the Old Fort Madison military trading post, all along the Mississippi River. Great restaurant at hotel, Alphas. Preview all of this at the Milepost 235 web cam.

[Anonymous]

If you want an affordable stay(if money is no object-ignore!), there are several Motel 6's- in Flagstaff, in Kansas City, Mo on 87th St. off of I-435(for KCS trains), in Cheyenne(at the west end of the UP yard and a BNSF flyover,although much busier when it was the BN), and of course the Quality Inn or whatever they are calling it these days(formerly a Motel 6 among others) in Dalhart, TX where you will get very little sleep without earplugs. It sits right next to(literally) the UP/BNSF diamond. I'm sure I've missed a few, I used to live in AZ and took alot of road trips to see trains.

[Anonymous]

I live in Austin and appreciate the tip.Thanks

[Anonymous]

The Holiday Inn in Harriman TN overlooks the NS "rat hole" mainline and the branch up the mountain to Crab Orchard. Room on the front of the motel, on the top floor is best. Another motel next door also has a view.
There are no grade crossings here so you can sleep if you want.

[Anonymous]

For those of you who will be taking a trip to Rochelle, IL, just 15 miles east is De Kalb. There, right on rt. 38 there is an Econolodge or something like that. The rooms are great price, and over look UP's double track main through Rochelle. Tell the desk clerk you want a room to whatch trains. NO grade crossings near by!

[Anonymous]

trainweb.com has a webcam sitting on top of the Holliday Inn in Cumberland MD. looking on the CSX main, they also have a link to the hotel's railfan package.